Performance
Score Breakdown
Phenix City
Alabaster
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
0% higher compared to Phenix City.
| Metric | Phenix City | Alabaster | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $700 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $300 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $500 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $1,000 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,650 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Phenix City offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Phenix City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Phenix City is estimated at
$38,000 vs $72,000 in Alabaster.
| Metric | Phenix City | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $43,000 | $40,018 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $72,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,190 idx | 40,835 idx |
| Household Income | $43,000 | $91,357 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Phenix City | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 64.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Phenix City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
Phenix City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Phenix City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Phenix City | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Phenix City is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Alabaster.
From a growth perspective, Phenix City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Phenix City | Alabaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,000 | 33,917 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.76% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 39.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Phenix City
Advantages
Affordable housing options
Low cost of living
Growing economy
Rich history and culture
Outdoor recreational opportunities
Drawbacks
Higher crime rate
Limited public transportation options
Aging housing stock
Limited job opportunities in certain industries
Summer heat and humidity
Alabaster
Advantages
Affordability compared to national averages.
High homeownership rate and stable housing market.
Strong job growth, particularly in healthcare and education.
Family-friendly environment with good schools and community events.
Low crime rates contributing to a safe living environment.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability.
Longer-than-average commute times.
Limited amenities within walking distance.
Inaccessibility of certain health-related facilities in some areas.
Hot summers can be a factor for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Phenix City
#31Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$700
Avg Salary
$43,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
Business
65
Alabaster
#12Alabama, USA
76.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$40,018
Cost Index
98
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
10.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
Business
80
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